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10 Best Ground Covers for Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden

Oleh Mrs. Kirk Murazik Post a Comment
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Gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers, are you looking for ways to attract hummingbirds to your garden? Look no further! We have compiled a list of the 10 best ground covers that will not only provide shelter but also serve as a source of nectar for these amazing birds.

Ground Cover Flowers

Why use ground covers?

Ground covers not only add beauty and texture to your garden but also serve many practical purposes. They can be used to control soil erosion, suppress weeds, and conserve moisture in the soil.

Benefits of using ground covers for hummingbirds

Using ground covers in your garden is an excellent way to attract hummingbirds. Hummingbirds love low-growing plants that offer plenty of places to hide and rest. Ground covers provide just that!

How to choose the right ground cover for your garden

The right ground cover for your garden will depend on several factors, such as the amount of sun exposure, soil type, and climate. It's essential to consider these factors before selecting a ground cover for your garden.

  1. Lantana Lantana Lantanas are incredibly versatile and come in many different colors, including red, pink, yellow, and orange. They're easy to care for and offer a continuous supply of nectar throughout the summer months.

  2. Creeping Thyme Creeping Thyme Creeping thyme is a hardy, low-growing plant with tiny flowers that bloom in shades of pink, purple, and white. This fragrant plant does well in full sun and can handle moderate foot traffic.

  3. Sedum Sedum Sedums, also known as stonecrops, are succulent plants that require very little maintenance. They come in many different colors and varieties and bloom in late summer, providing a much-needed late-season nectar source for hummingbirds.

  4. Ajuga Ajuga Ajugas are low-growing, spreading plants with spikes of bright blue or purple flowers. They do well in partial to full shade and provide an excellent ground cover in moist areas such as near ponds or streams.

  5. Wild Ginger Wild Ginger Wild ginger is a low-maintenance, shade-loving plant with heart-shaped leaves and small, reddish-brown flowers. It's an excellent choice for woodland gardens and provides year-round coverage.

  6. Hosta Hosta Hostas are popular shade-loving plants with large, attractive leaves and purple, white, or lavender flowers. They're easy to grow and provide year-round coverage in shady areas.

  7. Creeping Phlox Creeping Phlox Creeping phlox is a low-growing plant with masses of tiny, fragrant flowers that bloom in early spring. It does well in full sun to partial shade and comes in shades of pink, blue, and purple.

  8. Lamb's Ear Lamb's Ear Lamb's ear is a soft-textured, low-growing plant with fuzzy silver-green leaves and spikes of pinkish-purple flowers. It does well in full sun and attracts not only hummingbirds but also butterflies.

  9. Deadnettle Deadnettle Deadnettle is a ground cover plant with silver-green leaves and clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers. It does well in partial to full shade and attracts not only hummingbirds but also bees and butterflies.

  10. Purple Heart Plant Purple Heart Plant The purple heart plant, also known as Setcreasea, is a low-growing succulent with attractive purple-tinged leaves and small pink or purple flowers. It does well in full sun to partial shade and is an excellent choice for rocky or sandy areas.

Once you've chosen the right ground cover for your garden, it's essential to plant and care for them correctly to ensure long-term success.

Preparing the soil

Ground covers thrive in soil that is moist, well-draining, and nutrient-rich. Before planting, clear the area of any weeds, rocks, or debris and amend the soil by adding organic matter such as compost or peat moss.

Planting instructions

Plant each ground cover according to its specific requirements for spacing and depth. Water well after planting and mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weed growth.

Watering and fertilizing

Water your ground covers regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice a season to provide necessary nutrients.

Pruning and maintenance tips

Most ground covers require little pruning other than removing dead or damaged foliage. However, some varieties may need to be trimmed back occasionally to prevent overgrowth.

In addition to ground covers, several other plants can attract hummingbirds to your garden.

Hummingbird-friendly trees

  • Redbud
  • Dogwood
  • Eastern redbud

Hummingbird-friendly shrubs

  • Butterfly bush
  • Fuchsia
  • Azalea

Hummingbird-friendly flowers

  • Bee balm
  • Cardinal flower
  • Salvia

Hummingbird feeders

Hummingbirds are also attracted to brightly colored sugar water in feeders. Hang a few nectar-filled feeders around your garden to provide additional food sources.

Ground covers are an excellent way to attract hummingbirds to your garden year-round. By choosing low-growing, flowering plants that provide nectar and shelter, you can create a habitat that supports these amazing birds. With proper care, your ground covers will not only be beautiful but will also play an essential role in the ecosystem by supporting the pollination of other plants. So why wait? Start planting today and enjoy watching the hummingbirds flutter around your garden!

Have some questions about growing hummingbird-friendly ground covers? Here are some of the most common queries and their answers!

  1. What soil type is best for hummingbird-friendly ground covers? Ground covers prefer moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter.

  2. How often should I water my ground cover plants to attract hummingbirds? Regular watering is crucial for healthy growth. Water whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.

  3. Do I need to fertilize my ground covers for hummingbirds? A balanced fertilizer once or twice a season can help keep your ground covers healthy and blooming.

  4. Can I use mulch around my ground covers? Yes, mulching helps retain moisture and suppresses weed growth.

  5. Is it better to plant single-species or mixed-species ground cover beds for hummingbirds? Both options work well, but consider the specific needs of each plant species when selecting plants.

  6. How do I keep ground cover plants from spreading too much? Regular pruning and planting varieties suited to your soil type can help control spread.

  7. Are there any ground cover plants that might be toxic to hummingbirds? Yes, some plants such as foxglove are poisonous to hummingbirds, so make sure to research before planting.

  8. Can I use ground cover plants for erosion control in my garden and still attract hummingbirds? Yes, ground covers are an excellent choice for erosion control and will also attract hummingbirds to your garden.

  9. What other wildlife might be attracted to hummingbird-friendly ground cover beds? Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators will also be attracted to your hummingbird-friendly ground cover beds.

  10. How can I make my hummingbird-friendly ground cover garden attractive year-round? Choose a variety of plants with staggered blooming times and consider adding evergreens to provide year-round foliage coverage.

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